almanac

noun

al·​ma·​nac ˈȯl-mə-ˌnak How to pronounce almanac (audio) ˈal- How to pronounce almanac (audio)
1
: a publication containing astronomical and meteorological data for a given year and often including a miscellany of other information
2
: a usually annual publication containing statistical, tabular, and general information

Examples of almanac in a Sentence

an almanac of town news
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Nine months of starlight and sea air—chess, books, sewing, the sextant and the nautical almanac, bibulous pit stops in scenic ports—ended abruptly one March morning when a sperm whale smashed a hole in their boat. Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 18 June 2025 Normal high temperatures for May are typically an average of around 72 degrees, according to the NWS weather almanac. Ashley Fredde, Idaho Statesman, 27 May 2025 Meanwhile, the almanac will release its fall outlook later this summer, continuing its role as a traditional guide for seasonal expectations across the country. Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 May 2025 Yes, the findings are pseudo-scientific at best — hardly the stuff for the baseball almanac. Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 26 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for almanac

Word History

Etymology

Middle English almenak, from Medieval Latin almanach, probably from Arabic al-manākh the almanac

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of almanac was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Almanac.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/almanac. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

almanac

noun
al·​ma·​nac ˈȯl-mə-ˌnak How to pronounce almanac (audio) ˈal- How to pronounce almanac (audio)
: a book containing a calendar of days, weeks, and months and usually facts about the rising and setting of the sun and moon, changes in the tides, and information of general interest

More from Merriam-Webster on almanac

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